Dr Chris Wood
Dental Implant Surgeon
BDS MFGD, Dip Imp Dent (RCS Eng) FFGDP (UK) GDC No:57428
Over recent years, dental implants have revolutionised dentistry for both patients and practitioners. The pain and embarrassment of ill-fitting dentures or missing teeth are confined to the past. Thanks to implant technology, dentistry has advanced so much that you can now get a brand new set of teeth in just one day.
But what exactly are implants and are they right for you?
I hear them talked about a lot, but what are dental implants?
An individual dental implant consists of a small titanium rod, which is fitted into the gum in place of the root of a natural tooth. The rod then acts as an anchor onto which the new tooth can be fitted. The tooth itself can be created to exactly match the colour and shape chosen in advance by the patient, so there are no surprises on the day as you know exactly what you’re going to get.
Implants can be used to replace single teeth, whether they’ve been lost in an accident or due to an infection. They can also be used to replace several teeth, which may have been lost over a number of years for various reasons, including gum disease or neglect. Our Teeth in a Day service is for people wanting to replace a whole lower or upper jaw of teeth. Carried out over the course of a day, the patient has their existing teeth removed, the implants fitted and leaves with a new set of implants. We then finetune the look of the teeth over the following weeks and months to ensure the final set of implant teeth are just right, and the patient does all of this whilst avoiding the pain and inconvenience of having to wear interim dentures.
Full Arch Implants
Can it really work for everyone?
As long as you are over 18, in good general health and have healthy gums, then implants could well be an option for you. Generally, if you’re healthy enough to have regular, routine dental care then you should be healthy enough to have implants. The factors that most often prevent an implant procedure are smoking, radiotherapy in and around the jaw, poorly controlled diabetes and gum disease. Implants are also not an option for under-18’s as their bones are still at a developmental stage.
The important thing to remember though, is that everyone is different. At Audley, we spend time with our patients understanding what they want to achieve and talking through all the options, because one size really doesn’t fit all. If we, together with you, decide that implants would work well, then we will review your health and other lifestyle factors to ensure that the procedure will be as successful as possible.
Age is also not a barrier to treatment. One of our implant patients was a 92-year-old lady, really struggling with painful dentures that were making it difficult to eat. Although she was a little reluctant to start treatment, the implants have made a life changing difference. She said, ‘I am so glad that I did proceed, now I can eat anything I like in comfort again.’
What about my jawbone, how do you know it’s strong enough for implants?
It’s true that implants do need healthy bone to function, but it’s also true to say that is not a problem for most of our patients. Our state of the art practice is home to our very own CT scanner, so as well as detailed X-rays of your jaw we will also perform a CT scan and use computer imaging to get a really clear picture. In the rare event that you do have less bone in your jaw than we require, we are able to rebuild the required amount using safe techniques which have been highly successful.
We are lucky to have a team at Audley who are all experts in their field. We pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest techniques and practices, so when it comes to creating your perfect smile you can be confident that you’re in safe hands.
Is it really worth it?
Speaking, eating and smiling are all things we should be able to do without thinking. So, if you’re embarrassed about a wobbly denture, or hiding your mouth behind your hand when you smile, then maybe it’s time to think about making a change. Implants really can rebuild your confidence and restore your smile.
One of our recent patients came for a follow-up appointment and he said having implants at Audley Dental Solutions had literally “changed his life” and given him the confidence to venture out of the house again. You can hear it for yourselves on our Instagram channel.
Whether you’re ready to find out more, or tentatively thinking about dental work, why not get in touch? We can talk through your situation, consider all the available options and discuss whether implants might be the solution for you.
You can contact us via our website or give us a call on 01280 848945. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Chris
